Column Penetration Tests for Lime-Cement Columns in Deep Mixing—Experiences in Sweden

In this paper column penetration tests for lime-cement columns in deep mixing are reviewed. In principle, column penetration tests and reversed column penetration tests are considered. Improved test techniques are presented and discussed based on tests from two test sites in Sweden. The investigations indicate that the reversed column penetration test is the most suitable method for the primary quality test with reference to the uniformity and continuity of the columns. The probe should, however, be installed by the lime-cement column machine short after the manufacturing of the column to avoid disturbances in the mixing process and to enable a random test selection.